Green GPS Systems Makes Safer Drivers

CSA 2010 replaced the SAFESTAT system that was used for many years to help track commercial driver and commercial carrier safety performance. CSA 2010 gathers information nationwide from crash sites and roadside vehicle inspections. This data helps calculate how safe a particular commercial carrier or truck driver may be.

There are seven BASIC’s (Behavioral Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories) used to evaluate the safety performance of commercial drivers and commercial carriers. They are:

Unsafe Driving

Fatigued Driving (Hours of Service)

Driver Fitness

Controlled Substances and Alcohol

Vehicle Maintenance

Cargo Related

Crash Indicator

FMCSA has detailed information on their website about the affects of these pending regulations. While the CSA 2010 does not give the FMCSA authority to remove drivers from their jobs and cannot be used to rate drivers or to revoke a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), it does offer a driver safety assessment tool to help State enforcement staff evaluate drivers’ safety as part of motor carrier investigations.

Using the new Safety Measurement System (SMS), FMCSA continues to hold motor carriers responsible for the job performance of those who work for them. Therefore, motor carriers may be held accountable for their drivers’ errors such as speeding. This is a longstanding FMCSA position and is not unique to CSA 2010 or the new SMS.

As a fleet manager, you can track your drivers’ behavior by incorporating a green GPS tracking system. A green GPS tracking system monitors and reports when a driver speeds or drives erratically. Teaching drivers to refrain from speeding or driving aggressively will reduce liability, while saving your company fuel costs.